Nuclear Magnetic

Resonance Spectroscopy
Ref: Organic Chemistry, 5
th
Edition
L. G. Wade, J r.
2
Introduction
NMR is the most powerful tool available for
organic structure determination.
It is used to study a wide variety of nuclei:

1
H

13
C

15
N

19
F

31
P
=>
3
Nuclear Spin
A nucleus with an odd atomic number or
an odd mass number has a nuclear spin.
The spinning charged nucleus generates
a magnetic field.
=>
4
External Magnetic Field
When placed in an external field, spinning
protons act like bar magnets.
=>
5
Two Energy States
The magnetic fields of
the spinning nuclei
will align either with
the external field, or
against the field.
A photon with the right
amount of energy
can be absorbed
and cause the
spinning proton to
flip. =>
6
E and Magnet Strength
Energy difference is proportional to the
magnetic field strength.
E = h = h B
0
2
Gyromagnetic ratio, , is a constant for
each nucleus (26,753 s
-1
gauss
-1
for H).
In a 14,092 gauss field, a 60 MHz
photon is required to flip a proton.
Low energy, radio frequency. =>
7
Magnetic Shielding
If all protons absorbed the same
amount of energy in a given magnetic
field, not much information could be
obtained.
But protons are surrounded by electrons
that shield them from the external field.
Circulating electrons create an induced
magnetic field that opposes the external
magnetic field. =>
Chapter 13 8
Shielded Protons
Magnetic field strength must be increased
for a shielded proton to flip at the same
frequency.
=>
Chapter 13 9
Protons in a Molecule
Depending on their chemical
environment, protons in a molecule are
shielded by different amounts.
=>
Chapter 13 10
NMR Signals
The number of signals shows how many
different kinds of protons are present.
The location of the signals shows how
shielded or deshielded the proton is.
The intensity of the signal shows the
number of protons of that type.
Signal splitting shows the number of
protons on adjacent atoms. =>
Chapter 13 11
The NMR Spectrometer
=>
Chapter 13 12
The NMR Graph
=>
Chapter 13 13
Tetramethylsilane
TMS is added to the sample.
Since silicon is less electronegative
than carbon, TMS protons are highly
shielded. Signal defined as zero.
Organic protons absorb downfield (to
the left) of the TMS signal.
=>
Si
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
H
3
C
Chapter 13 14
Chemical Shift
Measured in parts per million.
Ratio of shift downfield from TMS (Hz)
to total spectrometer frequency (Hz).
Same value for 60, 100, or 300 MHz
machine.
Called the delta scale.
=>
Chapter 13 15
Delta Scale
=>
Chapter 13 16
Location of Signals
More electronegative
atoms deshield more and
give larger shift values.
Effect decreases with
distance.
Additional electronegative
atoms cause increase in
chemical shift.
=>
Chapter 13 17
Typical Values
=>
Chapter 13 18
Aromatic Protons, 7-8
=>
Chapter 13 19
Vinyl Protons, 5-6
=>
Chapter 13 20
Acetylenic Protons, 2.5
=>
Chapter 13 21
Aldehyde Proton, 9-10
=>
Electronegative
oxygen atom
Chapter 13 22
O-H and N-H Signals
Chemical shift depends on concentration.
Hydrogen bonding in concentrated
solutions deshield the protons, so signal
is around 3.5 for N-H and 4.5 for O-H.
Proton exchanges between the molecules
broaden the peak.
=>
Chapter 13 23
Carboxylic Acid
Proton, 10+
=>
Chapter 13 24
Number of Signals
Equivalent hydrogens have the same
chemical shift.
=>
Chapter 13 25
Intensity of Signals
The area under each peak is
proportional to the number of protons.
Shown by integral trace.
=>
Chapter 13 26
How Many Hydrogens?
When the molecular formula is known,
each integral rise can be assigned to a
particular number of hydrogens.
=>
Chapter 13 27
Spin-Spin Splitting
Nonequivalent protons on adjacent carbons
have magnetic fields that may align with or
oppose the external field.
This magnetic coupling causes the proton
to absorb slightly downfield when the
external field is reinforced and slightly
upfield when the external field is opposed.
All possibilities exist, so signal is split. =>
Chapter 13 28
1,1,2-Tribromoethane
Nonequivalent protons on adjacent carbons.
=>
Chapter 13 29
Doublet: 1 Adjacent Proton
=>
Chapter 13 30
Triplet: 2 Adjacent Protons
=>
Chapter 13 31
The N + 1 Rule
If a signal is split by N equivalent protons,
it is split into N + 1 peaks.
=>
Chapter 13 32
Range of Magnetic
Coupling
Equivalent protons do not split each other.
Protons bonded to the same carbon will
split each other only if they are not
equivalent.
Protons on adjacent carbons normally will
couple.
Protons separated by four or more bonds
will not couple.
=>
Chapter 13 33
Splitting for Ethyl Groups
=>
Chapter 13 34
Splitting for
Isopropyl Groups
=>
Chapter 13 35
Coupling Constants
Distance between the peaks of multiplet
Measured in Hz
Not dependent on strength of the external
field
Multiplets with the same coupling
constants may come from adjacent groups
of protons that split each other.
=>
Chapter 13 36
Values for
Coupling Constants
=>
Chapter 13 37
Complex Splitting
Signals may be split by adjacent
protons, different from each other, with
different coupling constants.
Example: H
a
of styrene which is split by
an adjacent H trans to it (J = 17 Hz) and
an adjacent H cis to it (J = 11 Hz).
=>
C C
H
H
H
a
b
c
Chapter 13 38
Splitting Tree
C C
H
H
H
a
b
c
=>
Chapter 13 39
Spectrum for Styrene
=>
Chapter 13 40
Stereochemical
Nonequivalence
Usually, two protons on the same C are
equivalent and do not split each other.
If the replacement of each of the protons of
a -CH
2
group with an imaginary Zgives
stereoisomers, then the protons are non-
equivalent and will split each other.
=>
Chapter 13 41
Some Nonequivalent
Protons
C C
H
H
H
a
b
c
OH
H
H
H
a
b
c
d
CH
3
H Cl
H H
Cl
a
b
=>
Chapter 13 42
Time Dependence
Molecules are tumbling relative to the
magnetic field, so NMR is an averaged
spectrum of all the orientations.
Axial and equatorial protons on
cyclohexane interconvert so rapidly that
they give a single signal.
Proton transfers for OH and NH may occur
so quickly that the proton is not split by
adjacent protons in the molecule.
=>
Chapter 13 43
Hydroxyl
Proton
Ultrapure samples
of ethanol show
splitting.
Ethanol with a small
amount of acidic or
basic impurities will
not show splitting.
=>
Chapter 13 44
N-H Proton
Moderate rate of exchange.
Peak may be broad.
=>
Chapter 13 45
Identifying the O-H
or N-H Peak
Chemical shift will depend on
concentration and solvent.
To verify that a particular peak is due to
O-H or N-H, shake the sample with D
2
O
Deuterium will exchange with the O-H
or N-H protons.
On a second NMR spectrum the peak
will be absent, or much less intense.
=>
Chapter 13 46
Carbon-13

12
C has no magnetic spin.

13
C has a magnetic spin, but is only 1% of
the carbon in a sample.
The gyromagnetic ratio of
13
C is one-
fourth of that of
1
H.
Signals are weak, getting lost in noise.
Hundreds of spectra are taken, averaged.
=>
Chapter 13 47
Fourier Transform NMR
Nuclei in a magnetic field are given a
radio-frequency pulse close to their
resonance frequency.
The nuclei absorb energy and precess
(spin) like little tops.
A complex signal is produced, then
decays as the nuclei lose energy.
Free induction decay is converted to
spectrum. =>
Chapter 13 48
Hydrogen and Carbon
Chemical Shifts
=>
Chapter 13 49
Combined
13
C
and
1
H Spectra
=>
Chapter 13 50
Differences in
13
C Technique
Resonance frequency is ~ one-fourth,
15.1 MHz instead of 60 MHz.
Peak areas are not proportional to
number of carbons.
Carbon atoms with more hydrogens
absorb more strongly.
=>
Chapter 13 51
Spin-Spin Splitting
It is unlikely that a
13
C would be
adjacent to another
13
C, so splitting by
carbon is negligible.

13
C will magnetically couple with
attached protons and adjacent protons.
These complex splitting patterns are
difficult to interpret.
=>
Chapter 13 52
Proton Spin Decoupling
To simplify the spectrum, protons are
continuously irradiated with noise,so
they are rapidly flipping.
The carbon nuclei see an average of all
the possible proton spin states.
Thus, each different kind of carbon
gives a single, unsplit peak.
=>
Chapter 13 53
Off-Resonance Decoupling

13
C nuclei are split only by the protons
attached directly to them.
The N + 1 rule applies: a carbon with N
number of protons gives a signal with
N + 1 peaks.
=>
Chapter 13 54
Interpreting
13
C NMR
The number of different signals indicates
the number of different kinds of carbon.
The location (chemical shift) indicates the
type of functional group.
The peak area indicates the numbers of
carbons (if integrated).
The splitting pattern of off-resonance
decoupled spectrum indicates the number
of protons attached to the carbon. =>
Chapter 13 55
Two
13
C NMR Spectra
=>
Chapter 13 56
MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging, noninvasive
Nuclearis omitted because of publics
fear that it would be radioactive.
Only protons in one plane can be in
resonance at one time.
Computer puts together slicesto get 3D.
Tumors readily detected.
=>
Chapter 13 57
End of Chapter 13